HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE 4 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENTS Snitterfield to Wootton Wawen © AOC Archaeology 2012 | 50 | www.aocarchaeology.com HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE 4.31 HEA 31: Snitterfield Introduction 4.31.1 Snitterfield is located falls within the parish of the same name c. 5km north of Stratford-upon-Avon, approximately centred on NGR SP 21570 59769. Snitterfield is thought to be early medieval in origin and is recorded as a pre-Conquest manor in the Domesday Survey of 1086. The place-name is recorded as ‘Snitefield’ in 1086; thought to derive from the Old English, meaning ‘open land haunted by snipe’ (Gover et al 1970). 4.31.2 First and second edition Ordnance Survey mapping shows a nucleated settlement pattern during the 19th century, clustering at the crossroads of The Green in the west and around the crossroads to the east of the village, around St. James’s Church. Subsequent 20th century development has expanded in a linear fashion along the main roads south of the village, including Church Road, Park Lane and Smith’s Lane, which led to settlement infilling in the north of the village. The available online geological mapping indicates that the village is located on bedrock of Mercia Mudstone with seams of dolomitic siltstone. The only recorded superficial deposits are alluvium (clay, silt, sand and gravel) associated with the Bell Brook and an area of glaciofluvial deposits (sand and gravel) to the south of the village. FIGURE 31.1 SNITTERFIELD PRIORS DESIGNATED ASSETS MAP © AOC Archaeology 2012 | 214 | www.aocarchaeology.com HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE Designated Heritage Assets (Figure 31.1) 4.31.3 A total of one Grade I and 21 Grade II listed buildings (SNI 1 – 22), lie within the 500m study area (see Appendix A). There are no scheduled monuments or registered park and gardens within the study area and the village has a conservation area, as designated by Stratford-on-Avon District Council. The Grade I listed building relates to the medieval parish church (SNI 1 and 32), located in the eastern end of the village. Historic Environments Record Data (Figure 31.2) 4.31.4 A total of 26 heritage assets lie within the 1km study area; of which 17 lie within the 500m study area (see Appendix A). Of particular relevance are the areas of the historic core, focused around the village green in the west and the medieval church (SNI 32) in the east. The vicarage and garden lie to the north of the church (SNI 35); whilst to the south is the site of Snitterfield Hall (SNI 34), with the large open grounds of Park House beyond (SNI 33). The WHER also identified several undated features, comprising linear cropmarks in the west of the study area (SNI 46) and southeast of the village (SNI 44); and an undated earthwork, possibly a house platform, on the western side of the village (SNI 45). The linear cropmarks on SNI 46 appears to extend outside of the boundary shown by the WHER. FIGURE 31.2 SNITTERFIELD HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD MAP © AOC Archaeology 2012 | 215 | www.aocarchaeology.com HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE Aerial Photographs and LiDAR (Figure 31.2) 4.31.5 An assessment of readily available aerial photographic evidence and LiDAR data, held by the WHER, identified a number of possible features within the 500m study area. Possible features, excluding ridge and furrow, identified based on appraisal of these sources are mapped on Figure 31.2. 4.31.6 The online aerial photographic evidence suggests a linear cropmark in the northern part of The Green (SNI A); possibly relating to a boundary visible on the 1945 aerial photos. The WHER aerial photographic collection included a print centred on the field northeast of ‘The Wolds’ (SNI B) at the western end of the village. The field appears to contain some possible linear and circular cropmarks; although the quality of the image makes this difficult to interpret. FIGURE 31.3 SNITTERFIELD HISTORIC LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISATION MAP © AOC Archaeology 2012 | 216 | www.aocarchaeology.com HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE 4.31.7 The LiDAR survey identified areas of ridge and furrow in the west of the study area, south of Griswolds Farm and a small area adjacent to Ingon Grange Garden (SNI 43) in the south. Further areas of ridge and furrow can be recognised from the aerial photographic evidence, located north and west of Griswolds Farm and in a field northeast of the site of Snitterfield Gasworks (SNI 37). Historic Landscape Character (Figure 31.3) 4.31.8 The HLC mapping data depicts the surrounding area of Snitterfield settlement dominated by fieldscapes, many of which can be dated back to medieval times. Scattered around the medieval settlement core are several historical farmsteads. The area southwest of the settlement is occupied by a modern fruit plantation, while the eastern area is occupied by modern woodland. FIGURE 31.4 SNITTERFIELD SENSITIVITY MAP © AOC Archaeology 2012 | 217 | www.aocarchaeology.com HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE Assessment of Archaeological Sensitivity (Figure 31.4) 4.31.9 Areas of high sensitivity are considered likely in the area of the historic core, and its immediate surroundings, based upon the focus of past settlement activity being on both the church at the eastern end of the village (SNI 32), and the village green at the west (e.g. SNI 45). 4.31.10 The areas between these have been identified as being of medium sensitivity; and may contain evidence of settlement or associated activity. To the south, the grounds of Park House (SNI 33) are medium sensitivity, as are the grounds of Ingon Grange. 4.31.11 The cropmarks identified in this assessment (SNI A and SNI B) and those from the WHER (SNI 44 and SNI 46) have been classed as medium sensitivity, with a large area placed on the fields around SNI 46 where it appears that cropmarks might extend out of the WHER polygon. The area on the north side of the village green, between the settlement and SNI B has also been designated as medium sensitivity due to the potential for unidentified associated activity. 4.31.12 The areas of ridge and furrow have been denoted as medium / low sensitivity and the archaeological sensitivity in the rest of the area is considered low / uncertain. This includes the settlement activity on the north side of the histrionic core, where no archaeological finds or features have been recorded since these areas have been developed. Conclusions and Recommendations High Sensitivity 4.31.13 Within the areas of high sensitivity a programme of pre-determination assessment is likely to be required. Such work could comprise a mixture of detailed desk-based assessment; a programme of non-intrusive survey works; and / or programmes of evaluation trenching. Mitigation may be required (e.g. watching brief, survey work, open area excavation), depending on the results of the initial assessment work; and the results of the pre-determination assessment may be used to inform upon changes to the proposed development’s design scheme. Post-excavation works will also be required. Should remains of national importance be encountered, it is possible that programmes of in situ preservation may be required. Development which would adversely affect such remains (or their setting) would not be permitted. 4.31.14 It is highly recommended that consultation with the Planning Archaeologist in WCC’s Archaeological Information and Advice Team, be undertaken early as possible in order to determine the exact scope of works for specific sites. The need for pre-determination works and / or further mitigation will be dependent upon the size and scale of the proposed development. This is in-line with Policies EF.11, EF.11A and EF.11B of the Stratford-on-Avon Local Plan Review. Medium Sensitivity 4.31.15 Within the areas of medium sensitivity a programme of pre-determination investigation may be required, dependent on the size and scale of the development. Such work could comprise a mixture of detailed desk-based assessment; non-intrusive survey works; and / or programmes of evaluation trenching. In some instances, the need for survey works; and / or programmes of evaluation trenching may be attached to planning approval as a condition. 4.31.16 Within these areas there are no statutory constraints to propose development. It is recommended that pre-planning consultation with the WCC Planning Archaeologist be undertaken in order to determine the exact scope of works for specific sites. This is particular relevant for the tentative areas of cropmarks in the west of the study area (SNI 46 and B) which may require pre- © AOC Archaeology 2012 | 218 | www.aocarchaeology.com HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL SERVICE VILLAGES, STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT, COUNTY OF WARWICKSHIRE determination fieldwork to assess nature, extent and presence of possible archaeology. Work may also be required in and around the area of the village green. 4.31.17 Mitigation (e.g. watching brief, survey work, open area excavation) may be required based on the results of the initial assessment work and / or pre-planning consultation with the WCC Planning Archaeologist. Post-excavation works will also be required. Should remains of national importance be encountered during the pre-determination or mitigation works, it is possible that programmes of in situ preservation and changes to the proposed development design scheme may be required.